John Saxon, born Carmine Orrico (August 5, 1935-July 25, 2020) He was an actor and martial artist who has worked on more than 200 projects during a span of 60 years. Saxon is known for his work in westerns and horror movies, often playing police officers and detectives. Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Saxon studied acting with Stella Adler before beginning his career as a contract actor for Universal Pictures, playing in such movies as Rock, Pretty Baby (1956) and Portrait in Black (1961)